Hi Friend,
In my last newsletter, I think I said, "I'll see you in August," but it's December. So, what happened?
(Thanks for hanging in there with me. Get your two fuss-free thank you recipes below.)
Oh! So much, but I won't bore you with all the details (only a few). Just know that God works things out to His liking and for our good. So, it's best not to hold our plans too tightly. That way, when they change, it doesn't though us for a loop. (Ever heard that expression before?)
Can you relate?
We can make all kinds of plans, but that one thing happens (or many things), and everything you planned goes right out the window (and there's another odd expression).
Here's how it started...
We took our first vacation in about four years at the end of July. It was just a four-day weekend. And we had such a good time, despite completely forgetting about the invention of sunscreen. Who knew?
After spending all afternoon at the beach the previous day, we both had the sunburn of our lives. OUCH!
Even though we forgot about sunscreen, after a quick trip to the drug store, we sure learned all about sunburn gels, ointments, and creams pretty fast by using them immediately, out in the parking lot.
We planned the vacation, but not the sunburn. But the whole experience made our trip quite memorable, to say the least. I think we peeled for weeks. (Okay, TMI)
And...
One month later, I retired a bit sooner than expected. I planned to wait until yearend, but there I was. As it turned out, God's timing was perfect again.
Then...
Only two weeks after I retired, my sister's day-time caregiver got a job she just couldn't pass up (and we are happy for her). You might remember that I'm a caregiver for my sister with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's.
Since then, life has been quite different, and it doesn't look like the retirement I planned. But, as it turns out, my role as a caregiver keeps me busier than my old job did. Hence the missing newsletters since July.
It took a while to get a new routine going, but we seem to be on a roll now. So, you'll be hearing from me on a more regular basis.
Finally...
If I've learned anything in recent months, it's to hold my plans loosely. That's because God's plans are always best, even when it doesn't feel like it.
I found this quote that kind of sums up the last few months and just happens to land in the Christmas season. I hope it is helpful to you, too.
What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.–Agnes M. Pahro
I'll be taking a couple of weeks off, but you'll see me in January. Enjoy your holidays, friend.
Merry Christmas,
Suzette
MYCONCRETEDOVE.COM
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